Ferguson v. Public Service Commission

Opinion by

Keller, J.,

In 1897, long before a state commission to regulate public service companies was contemplated in this Commonwealth, the City of Philadelphia leased to the United Gas Improvement Company its municipally owned gas plant. The contract was for thirty years, and, as part consideration, provided for the expenditure by the lessee during the term of the lease of at least $15,000,000 in the improvement, extension and betterment of the manufacturing and distribution system, which should be turned over to the city without cost, in first class condition, as a part of its plant, at…